Signal operating mechanism



Dec. 13, 1932. c. c. RAYMQND 1,890,863

SIGNAL OPERATING MECHANISM Eiled June 30, 1931 INVENTOR. Clqlaence C. Rqjrqoud.

1 ATTORNEY.

Patented Dec. 13, 1932 PATENT; OFFICE CLARENCE RAYMOND, E DETROIT, MICHIGAN SIGNAL OPERATING MECHANISM Application filed June so,

My invention relates to anew and useful improvement in a signal operating mechanism adapted for use primarily on vehicles of the automotive type and intended to operate so that when the vehicle is traveling beyond a predetermined speed the mechanism will be actuated to one stage for operating a dis lay member and when the speed is low ered to apredetermined rate, the mechanism 19 will be actuated for operating another displa member.

t is an object of the present invention to provide a device of this class which will be simple in-structure, economical to manufacture, durable, and" hi hly efficient in use.

Another object of t e invention istheprovision of a rotating shaft, the-speed of rota-' tion of which will be dependent upon the speed of operation of the vehicle and the provision -,of this shaft with mechanism, the

operation of which will be dependent upon thedrotationof the shaft with which associate p Another object of the invention is the provision of a rotating shaft having an axially movable switch operating mechanism mounted thereon and provided with mechanism for axially movingthe same upon the rotation of the shaft at predetermined speeds.

,Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

, The invention will be best understood by a reference to the accompanying drawing whichforms a part of this specification, and in which, I

Fig. 1 is a central sectional view of the actuating mechanism showing it applied.

Fig. 2 is a view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view of the wiringused in the invention.

Fig. 4 is a view taken on line 44 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a sectional view through a light housing used in the invention.

While in the drawing I have illustrated the invention used with lights which are electrically operated and serve to function as signals, it will appear obvious as the descri tion" proceeds that an electric alarm could e 1931. Serial No. 547,939.

used in the invention as well as the lights wlthout in any manner interfering with the operation of the controlling mechanism.

In the drawing I have illustrated a lamp houslng 9 having a transparent closure 10 at one side from which the rays of light from the lamp 11 which is positioned within the housing may shine. In the adaptation of the lnvention as illustrated, I use a pair of these lights 11 and 13, these lights being grounded at 12 and 14 respectively. The light 11 is connected by the wire 15 to the resilient contact arm 16 which is mounted in the switch housing 57. The light 13 is connected by the wiring 17 to the resilient switch or contact arm 18 which is also mounted inthe switch housing 57. Thesearnis 16 and 18 are adaptedto engage the contact member 19 which is mounted in the switch housing 57 and v which is connected by the wire 20 to one side of the battery 21, the opposite side of which is grounded as at 22.

In the drawing I have illustrated the invention used in connection with an automobile engine shaft 23 which projects rearwardly to the universal housing 24 and which is encased by the casing 26. Fixedly mounted on this drive shaft 23 is a worm wheel 25 meshing with which is the Worm 27 fixedly mounted on the shaft 28. This shaft 28 projects into the gearing housing 29. F ixedly mounted on the shaft 28 within the gear housing 29 is a gear 30 meshing with a gear 31 which is fixedly mounted on the shaft 32. p The shaft 28 and its connections is the usual one for driving the flexible shaft of the speedometer used on a vehicle. Connecting to the shaft 32 is a flexible shaft 33 enclosed by the sheathing 34. This shaft 33 is connected to the shaft 35 which projects into the housing 36 and is j ournaled in the bushing 37. The gland 38 engages the flange 39 of the flexible sheathing 34 and serves to retain the shaft 33 in connected relation to the shaft 35.

Fixedly mounted on the shaft 35 within the housing 36 is a collar 40 provided with a plurality of pairs of radiating lugs 41 and 42 which are in spaced relation to each other. Pivotally mounted at one end between the pairs of lugs is an operating arm 43 which is bifurcated at its pivoted end to provide a space 44 in which engages one end of the link 44 which is pivoted to the arm 43. The op posite end of the link 44is pivoted between a pair of lugs 45 which extend outwardly from a collar 46 which is slidably positioned on the shaft 35. A neck 47 projects from the collar 46 and positioned about this neck147 is a bearing comprising the ball retainers 48 and the balls 49. A cup shaped housing 50 is pressed upon the outer ball retainer 48.

Pivotally connected at their endsto thecup shaped housing 50 are the yoke arms'51'and' 52 which extend from the tree of the yoke 53 which is pivotally mounted between the lugs 54v which are positioned within the housing 36. Thearm-53 projects through a slot 58 formed in .the housing36 and the free end of the tree or arm'53 is provided witha roller %;355 which isadapted to engage the spring contacts or switchar'ms 16 and 18.. A weight 56 isfixedly mounted on the free end of each of thearms43. V p 1 In operation, when the shaft 23 is rotated,

theshaft will rotate. As the shaft .35 r0- tates at a low speed, the arms 43 will through the actionof the weights 56 hang downward- 1y so that the arm or tree-53 will be tilted to maintain the spring 1 contact or switch arm it'ildout of engagement withthe contact 19 and the light '13'will be closed. rotation, of the shaft 35 thus the circuitto As .thespeed'of I continues, centrifugal force t-'ithuszthe collar-46' will be slid upwardlyto rock the arm ortree 53 and move the spring.

bea'green light thus indicating when a pI -V determined speed of travel has been reached :so that travelers of following vehicles may follow-closely at a high rate of speed. While the invention is adapted for use on vehicles of all types, it is particularly adapted for use on that class of vehicles which employ a free. wheeling mechanism in which nomechanism.

would .be operated to sound a warning or light when the .feedingof fuel to the engine was stopped. I r p The device may bevery easily and quickly assembled and the durabilityand simplicity of the structure is believed obvious. 1

l While I have illustrated and described thepreferred form of construction of my invention, I do not wish to. limit myself to the will movejthe'. arms 43 to approach horizontal positionand .ijwith the contact 19, thus closing the circuit precise details :of structure shownrbut desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as may-come within the scope of the appended claims;

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A device of the class described, comprising-:arotatable shaft; a collar axially movable onv said shaft; a switch operating arm pivoted intermediate its ends and connected atone endto saidcollar; a pair of switch blades engageable with the free end of said arm, the rocking of said arm in one direction mov-ing one of -saidblades to open position,

and the rocking of said arm in the opposite direction-moving the other of-said blades to open'position': v

2; A deviceof theclass described, comprising: a rotatable shaft; a collar axially movable on said shaft; a switch operating arm" pivoted intermediate its ends and connectedat one end to said collar; a pairof switch blades engageable' with'the free end of said arm,the rocking of said arm in one-direction moving one of said'blades to open position,- and the rocking of said arm in the opposite direction moving the other of said blades to open position and means operable-dependenti upon the speed of rotation of said shaft forrocking said-arm to'said-positions.; 3;. r device of the class des'cribed,fcomprising a rotatable shaft; means i for rotating said shaft; a collar slidably mounted on sai'd shaft; an arm pivotally mounted. interme-" diate its ends and connected at one end-to said collar means operable dependent upon the speed of'rotation of said shaft for moving said collar axially of said shaft and effecting a rocking 'of-said arm on its pivot; and-a pair of switch blades each engageabl'e with the free end'of said arm, the'rocking of' 'said arm in oposite directions movingsaid switch blades alternately to open position;

4. A device'of-the class described, comprising: a rotatableshaft; means. for rotating said shaft;-a collar axially 'movable'on said Shaft; p of spaced resilient "swit -i. arms normally in switch closingposition;

arm pivotally mounted intermediate its ends and pivotally connected at one endto saidcollar and engaging at its free end betweensaid switch arms for effecting, upon rocking,

the movement of i said switch arm's individuallyto open position dependent upon thedirection of rocking; a collar fixedly'mounted on saldfshaft; swingably mounted arms t'carried by said fixedly mounted collar; a weight-1 on the free end-of. eachof saidzswi'ngably mounted: arms; and alink connecting said swingably mounted arms iintermedi ate their? ends to said movable collar.

5. A. device of the class described com-ilprising: a rotatable shaft; means forzzrotating. said shaft a collar slidablymounted on said shaft; an arm pivotally mounted inter-;

mediate its ends and connected at one end to said collar; means operable dependent upon the speed of rotation of said shaft for moving said collar axially of said shaft and effecting a rocking of said arm on its ivot; a stationary contact member; a pair 0 independent, resilient contact arms, each fixedlymounted at one end and adapted for engaging at their opposite ends on opposite sides of said contact member, the free end of said pivotally mounted arm engaging between said resilient contact arms and adapted upon rocking in opposite directions for moving said contact arms alternately out of engagement with said contact member.

In testimony whereof I have signed the foregoing specification.

CLARENCE C. RAYMOND. 

